Former tax official gets probation in embezzlement case

BERNALILLO,. N.M. (AP) — A former head of the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department has been sentenced to five years of probation in an embezzlement case involving her accounting firm. A state judge last week sentenced former Secretary Demesia Padilla on convictions for embezzlement and computer access with intent to defraud or embezzle. The Albuquerque Journal reports that Padilla faced up to 18 years in prison but that Judge Cindy Mercer suspended all prison time. Along with the probation term, Padilla also must complete 200 hours of community service and pay over $25,000 in restitution to a Bernalillo family which owned a grading company that used Padilla’s accounting firm.